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The holidays are about family, friends, and togetherness.  This year has challenged those things in many aspects.  Lockdowns, mask mandates, curfews, fear marketing, scare tactics-the list goes on!  The COVID infomercials, news casts, social media ploys are just never ending, but what about the rest of the world? It seems the majority of the world has been pushed aside to make way for political propaganda and illogical rules for the minority.  Now, do not get me wrong, those families that have lost someone from Covid-my heart goes out.  But my heart also goes out to those who have lost someone period.  Death is never easy or welcomed! As of November 25th, 2020, COVID deaths accounted for less than 10% of U.S. deaths (less than 3% globally).   9.26% to be more precise and guess what?  Pneumonia deaths account for 9.06%-a communicable disease which has a vaccine yet hundreds of thousands die from it every year. ( CDC )  I know I was not wearing a mask last year.  Were you?  I was challen

“If you desire 100% avoidance of infection, the only way to achieve it is to isolate yourself completely. ” (David G. Hill, 2020) That is right! There is no #vaccine , cure, face mask, or other measure that is going to help you to keep from this. That is no different than flu, ebola, or any other communicable disease. I learned that there are over 80 communicable #diseases that are tracked and/or reported many of which are very much so present in today's world. Many of which are just as contagious. “. . . a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but with limited success. . . . 80–90% of #particles from human expiratory activities were aerosols with the diameter being smaller than 1 μm.” (Jayaweera, 2020) With 80-90% of our spray being aerosols, the mask catches no more than about 20% of our spray. While COVID-19 and other #viruses like to cling to larger particles, it is u

The best way to learn a language is to see, hear, and interact with the language consistently.  I have had it easy with a 13 month old who loves books.  I emphasize LOVE!  We read no less than ten books a day and most of those books 3-4 times each sitting.  I wish I was being over-the-top.  We have read some so many times that I have them memorized. I am not mad that my daughter is fascinated with her growing library collection.  Let's hope it continues as she grows and attends school. We thought we would share some of our favorite reads with you and why they have been so great! You're My Little Series - $8.99/Book 4 Books with a 5th being released in September 2020 You're My Little Honey Bunny You're My Little Christmas Wish You're My Little Pumpkin Pie You're My Little Cuddle Bug You're My Little Snuggle Bear By Nicola Edwards | Illustrated by Nicole Marshall These books are just the cutest!  We received a few as gifts and our little loves the illustration

I have graced the bikini stage in the bodybuilding world for about a decade.  As I have gone along, I have tested, tried, and got getting stage ready down to a science.  This includes tips and tricks that I still use today when doing a self-tanner at-home.  The below steps help me have an even, dark, and long lasting tan every time. Shower & Shave :  Enjoy a nice long shower and give yourself time to shave.  Shaving is a way to start the exfoliating process.  Most shave gels/creams/lotions leave a residue, so use a soap without any oils in it after you shave.  I like to use a Japanese washcloth with a little soap on it.  Liquid Dial is great as well as Liquid Sun Rayz pH Balancing Body Wash. Balance & Exfoliate :  If you use a pH balancing soap like the one mentioned above, you can skip this step.  Our body requires balance to function.  This includes the pH of the skin.  To help buffer your skin, I suggest using Baking Soda.  Not only does it help with pH, it is also a

As concerts get postponed, sporting events get canceled, schools close and tourist hot spots shut down, you may be feeling a tad bit stir crazy at home. What's there to do while stuck indoors? We've compiled 10 suggestions to help make your time “social distancing” as interesting – and perhaps even as productive – as possible. 1. Virtually connect with an old friend or relative Remember your bestie from college that you hardly see anymore due to the craziness of life? Or maybe you’re missing your sweet grandma who lives several hours away. Right now is the perfect time to pick up the phone and virtually connect. Apple users can use FaceTime or if you’ve got a computer and wifi connection, you may opt for a Zoom chat.  2. Embrace your inner bookworm  Maybe you grew up loving to read but life has recently been too chaotic to even think about curling up on the couch with a good book. If you aren’t particularly bothered about reading but you do enjoy learning new th

COMMON INGREDIENT TERMS All labels from food to skincare to supplements are composed of scientific names and each name has a specific trait, affect, or value to the product it is attached to. So what is all the fancy jargon? See some #skinchemistry broken down. Humectant - keeps in moisture Solvent - liquid used to dissolve other substances to create a solution Emulsifying -helps to blend ingredients that would otherwise not mix together like oil and water Chelating - substance whose molecules can form several bonds to a single metal ion. Chelating ingredients help products from spoiling or by removing metal ions that would otherwise interfere with the solutions affect. (www.scifun.org, 2017) Solute - dissolved in the solvent Emollient – skin softener Surfactant - substance which tends to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved. What other ingredient terms do you see often either on a label or in market